Five questions to ask in finding the right therapist

Here are some “big picture” questions to think about before you look at individual therapists:

1. What do you need help with?

   Are you changing careers? Dealing with anxiety? Need someone to prescribe medication? Depending on your answer, you may want to search for a specific professional. For example, licensed counselors can’t prescribe medication. You’d need to see a psychiatrist.

2. What can you afford?

   Before you head to Google, contact your insurance company and see what coverage you have for mental health treatment. If you don’t have insurance, figure out what you can pay out of pocket.

3. What kind of personality works best for you?

   Think about the type of person you’re most likely to feel comfortable with and respond to. Kind and nurturing? Or someone more straightforward and blunt?

4. What type of therapy?

   Are you interested in individual, group, couples, or family therapy? Keep in mind that many therapists do more than one, so you could see them for multiple types.

5. Would you rather do in-person or online?

   Lots of therapists now offer telehealth sessions, and there are text therapy services, too. Both in-person and virtual therapy have their pros and cons. But there’s no “right” way to do it. You could even try both and see which works better for you.

The right therapist for you is someone who can meet your needs and matches your preferences. Bearing in mind the questions from above, let’s discuss some key things you’ll want to pay attention to as you scour therapist websites and profiles.